Tottenham Pre-Season Tour: De Zerbi’s New-Look Spurs Set for Auckland FC Test

Tottenham have started pre-season with a win, 1-0 against MK Dons behind closed doors, and now comes the more useful part, a public look at what this squad actually is under Roberto De Zerbi.

Sunday’s meeting with Auckland FC at Eden Park gives supporters their first proper sight of a heavily reshaped Spurs side. The spending has been significant, more than £200 million on six arrivals, and with that comes scrutiny. It has to. Finishing 17th in successive Premier League seasons leaves no room for spin, no matter how early it is in the summer.

De Zerbi Faces Early Tottenham Assessment

The squad travelling to New Zealand is 35 strong, though not complete. Marcos Senesi, the new Argentina centre-back, is the only signing left behind. Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes, Andy Robertson, Jan Paul van Hecke and Martin Dubravka are all on the trip, which gives De Zerbi a decent platform to start shaping the team.

There are, however, notable absentees. Guglielmo Vicario has what the club described as a “minor knock”, while Pape Matar Sarr and Rodrigo Bentancur have been given extra time off after the World Cup. Pedro Porro, Cristian Romero and Djed Spence, all involved deep into that tournament, have also stayed back.

Injuries and Transfer Doubts Shape Squad

There is uncertainty around Vicario and Romero in particular, with both linked with moves away. That matters because pre-season is about rhythm, but also about reading the market. If key players are unavailable or unsettled, the manager needs alternatives quickly.

Elsewhere, Mohammed Kudus, Dejan Kulusevski, Xavi Simons and Wilson Odobert remain at Hotspur Way, continuing recovery work from long-term injuries. That strips the squad of experience and creativity, though it does create space for younger players to step forward.

Young Spurs Players Get Big Opportunity

Luca Williams-Barnett caught the eye against MK Dons and Mikey Moore is another with a clear chance to impress. These tours are often dressed up as commercial exercises, but for players on the edge of the first team, they are auditions.

Auckland FC, third in last season’s A-League, should provide a competitive enough test in front of what is expected to be a record crowd. De Zerbi is likely to split his selection across the two halves again.

The predicted Tottenham XI is Kinsky, Takai, Van de Ven, Van Hecke, Udogie, Fernandes, Tonali, Yang, Moore, Tel, Solanke. Kick-off is 4am BST on Sunday, July 26, 2026, at Eden Park, with the match available on SPURSPLAY. After that, Spurs move on to Australia for games against Sydney FC and Chelsea.